— Did you like presented Kerry Blue Terriers as a whole?
— It was great number of kerries on one place what we can’t find easy nowadays in many European countries, but it was not only quantity there was high level of the breed also.
— What were your priorities in judging?
— Always when i judge main thing is that whole picture of dog is in balance and that animal moves well with nice temperament and condition than we can go true special things what they miss.
— What common positive and negative qualities can you note in the dogs presented?
There were many dogs with high quality but were also some with not best movement, top line, tail, ears and coat.
— There are several types in breed. If you agree with this, what particular type do you prefer?
— I know that exist some types as they exist in every breed but you,as kerries breeders,should be happy that you have maybe 2 types and not like some breeds few types than you can work easily on type you like and improve other things on future generations.
— How important are the correct color and structure of kerry coat for you? Have you noticed any problems with this?
— Of course coat and colour are very important and that’s said in the name of breed, i can be more relaxed with colour till 2 years of age, but older dogs i prefer in right colour. Coat texture is also kind of problem because we can find lot of soft coated dogs even for some judges they look more attractive but it doesn’t mean it is right for the breed.
— What characteristics of movements do you consider desirable for kerry? Do you like fast movements at the rings of kerries?
— Kerry is terrier with some kind of terrier movement but also should be elastic enough, i don’t like to see fox type of movement in kerry but also i don’t judge how fast they run i judge how correctly they move.
— Were there any problems with the character and temperament of dogs?
— Mainly all dogs were with nice friendly character, even puppy was very happy for age and maybe some of his first shows and specially for nowadays when we didn’t have enough shows to socialise them.
— How important are the ear set and the shape of tail for you?
— Ears are important because they are part of expression and i checked them always also checked if they had some surgery or something like that because i am more for natural looking for any breed, i mention some ears problem and also some were very open in movement. Tails are problem not less than in all other breeds whom were docked, and for that we need time and generation but i would like to see nice tails because in that case picture of whole dog is more completed.
— What can you say about mouths of the dogs presented: bite, dentition, pigmentation etc. What about eyes?
-I can’t mention some big problem with mouth, as they are terrier breed where in country of origin they don’t care much about teeth. Pigmentation and eyes i didn’t see any big problem about.
-What type of head you prefer for KBT? Can you say few words about the heads of shown kerries?
— I know exist types of kerries head but i prefer more stronger head with full under eyes and good muzzles but still clean and terrier looking, i am not fun of light heads.
— Which handling style you consider to be preferable for a terrier: a free show stance with concentration on handler; or classic show stance when the dog is controlled by a collar?
— Handling is last thing by which i judge dogs, for me construction, movement and type are more important. Handling is something what is necessary that one dog become big winner but dog first must have qualities. I like when dog is happy and stay free but i judge more movement, and for photo hand stacking is totally correct for me same as free stacking, important how dog looks better.
— Say a few words about your main Winners, please.
— My winners are beautiful typical kerries, specially my BOB and BOS. BOB male is really something i like a lot because he was not only type he has super body under coat and very good substance and typically colour. BOS female was really feminem and was an eye catcher she was elegant and moves so showy. I really like these 2 dogs and i was happy to have them in my ring.
Also want to say thank you very much to all participants for such number of entries and very nice and correct behaviour in and out of the ring, atmosphere was very nice. Club was very nice with trophies and beautiful rosettes and many other things they presented to winners in each class. Wish you all good luck and strong work in future because Russian kerries are known all around the world as maybe best population. One more time thank you very much that you choose me as judge and Take care and stay safe and healthy.
Interviewers — Olga Pankratjeva & Olga Reshetnikova